holly
holly Lexical Profile
holly Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A widely distributed evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Ilex, native to various temperate and subtropical regions, characterized by glossy, spiky dark green leaves and bright red berries.
"The birds relied on the berries of the holly for sustenance during the harsh winter months."
The branches or foliage of the holly plant, historically harvested and used as a traditional festive decoration during the winter holidays.
"We decorated the mantelpiece with fresh pine cones and a thick garland of holly."
• Rhymes for holly
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'holeġn', derived from the Proto-Germanic root '*hulin-', meaning 'prickly' or 'stiff', ultimately tracing back to an Indo-European root shared with words for 'prickly plants'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.